Ceiling mounted overhead storage unit

ABSTRACT

Overhead storage device adapted to be easily and inexpensively flush mounted on a variety of ceilings with little or no modification to the ceiling. The device is hingedly connected to a pan portion suspended from a ceiling and is selectively moveable from a first closed position against the ceiling to a second open position away from the ceiling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to storage devices and moreparticularly to a ceiling mounted overhead storage device that may bequickly and easily attached directly to, or within, a variety of ceilingsystems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Overhead storage systems are well known in the art. One shortcoming ofconventional overhead storage devices is that they are often expensiveand complicated to manufacture. Another shortcoming of conventionaldevices is that they are often difficult and time consuming to install.Yet another shortcoming of conventional overhead storage systems is thattheir installation often requires that a portion of the ceiling beremoved or modified to permit installation of the device. Still anothershortcoming of conventional overhead storage devices is that they oftenlack the rigidity and structural strength to permit the safe and rapidstorage and retrieval of heavy objects.

Thus, there is a need for an overhead storage device that is inexpensiveto manufacture and that can be easily and quickly installed directly to,or within, a variety of ceiling systems to permit the safe and rapidoverhead storage and retrieval of even very heavy objects.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide an overhead storage devicethat is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install.

It is another object of this invention to provide an overhead storagedevice that may be quickly and easily installed on, or within, a widevariety of different ceiling systems without requiring modification orremoval of a portion of the ceiling.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an overheadstorage device that is lightweight, decorative, and possesses improvedstrength and rigidity to permit heavy objects to be safely and rapidlystored overhead.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a ceiling mountedstorage device, comprising a storage bin having a closed bottom end andan open top end defining a storage compartment and a reinforcing ringengagement lip projecting from the first end of the storage bin. Areinforcing ring having a first channel and a second channel isprovided. The first channel is sized and adapted to engage and retainthe engagement lip and the second channel is sized and adapted to engageand retain the second portion of a latch assembly. The second channel isalso adapted to engage and retain a reinforcing ring securing member. Apan portion having a first major surface and a second major surface isprovided with a means for securing the pan portion to the ceiling. Areinforcing plate is disposed on the first major surface of the panportion. A hinge hingedly connects the pan portion and the storage binand is adapted to permit the storage bin to be selectively moveable in afirst direction towards the pan portion to a first closed position andmoveable in a second direction away from the pan portion to a secondopen position. A latch means assembly comprising a first portion and asecond portion is provided with the first and second portionscooperatively disposed to permit the bin to be selectively secured inthe first position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the components of one embodiment ofan overhead storage system constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a storage bin constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line A--A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a hinge assembly and its method ofattachment;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a storage bin shown disposed in a first closedposition and shown in phantom disposed in a second open position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional end view taken through a draw-latch typelatch assembly attached to the storage system;

FIG. 6A is an exploded view of a portion of the draw-latch assemblyshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6B shows a touch-latch-type latch assembly constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 6C shows an alternative embodiment of a second portion of adraw-latch type latch assembly utilized in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 6D shows an alternative embodiment of a second portion of atouch-latch type latch assembly utilized in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the device issuspended from a pencil rod;

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the device issuspended from a flat bar;

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention that utilizes a gas springcylinder;

FIG. 10 shows details of a preferred embodiment for securing the gasspring cylinder shown in FIG. 9 to the storage bin;

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention that utilizes ascissor hinge;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line A--A of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a detailed side view of the scissor mechanism shown in FIGS.11-13;

FIG. 15 shows a duplex plate mounted on the pan portion;

FIG. 15A shows a duplex plate mounted within the storage bin;

FIG. 16 shows a plurality of portals disposed in the storage bin;

FIG. 17 shows a means for transmitting signals attached to the storagebin; and

FIG. 18 shows a means for mounting an electrical device to the externalsurface of the storage bin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of a storage system 1constructed in accordance with the invention comprising a pan 2, a liner3, a reinforcing ring 4, and a storage container or bin 5. The storagecontainer or bin 5 has a closed bottom end 6 and an open top end 7defining a storage compartment 8. The bin 5 may be manufactured from avariety of strong yet lightweight materials well known to those skilledin the art as suitable for this purpose, however, in a preferredembodiment vacuum formed styrene is utilized. The bin 5 may be shapedand sized as specific applications dictate, however, in an especiallypreferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, a bin having a width 9 of about23.5 inches, a length 10 of about 47.5 inches, and a depth 11 of about16 inches is utilized. The bin 5 may also be provided with removable orpermanent dividers 12 to accommodate specific storage needs as shown inFIG. 2. The bin 5 may also be provided with an external decorative orornamental treatment such as paint, decals, or textured surfaces (notshown). As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the bin 5 is provided with areinforcing ring engagement lip 13 that projects from the open top end 7of the storage bin 5.

FIGS. 1 and 3 show a reinforcing ring 4 having a first channel 14 and asecond channel 15. The first channel 14 is sized and adapted to receiveand retain the reinforcing ring engagement lip 13 that projects from thetop end 7 of the storage bin 5. The second channel 15 is sized andadapted to engage and retain a reinforcing ring securing member 16 asshown in FIG. 4. The reinforcing ring securing member 16 may besubstantially solid as shown in FIG. 4 and 13 or may be tubular. In anespecially preferred embodiment the reinforcing ring securing member 16is tubular and has a substantially triangular configuration when viewedin cross-section as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6B. This tubular andsubstantially triangular configuration results in a stronger and morerigid reinforcing ring securing member 16' shown in FIGS. 6 and 6B thatis lightweight, imparts greater strength and rigidity to the bin 5, andalso provides an additional support surface 69 which provides additionalsupport to the reinforcing ring 4. The reinforcing ring securing member16 and 16' secures the reinforcing ring 4 to the bin 5 and secures thereinforcing ring engagement lip 13 in the first channel 14 of thereinforcing ring 4. The reinforcing ring 4 and the reinforcing ringsecuring member 16 and 16' may be made of a wide variety of materialswell known to those skilled in the art as suitable for this purpose,however in a preferred embodiment metal is utilized, and in anespecially preferred embodiment aluminum is utilized. The reinforcingring securing member 16 and 16' can be attached to the bin 5 using awide variety of means well known to those skilled in the art as suitablefor this purpose, e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, adhesives, and welding,however, in a preferred embodiment a plurality of pop-rivets 68 as shownin FIG. 4 and 6B is utilized.

FIGS. 6 and 6B show two embodiments of a latch means assembly having afirst portion communicating with the pan portion and a second portioncommunicating with the storage bin for selectively securing the storagebin in the closed first position 42.

FIGS. 6 and 6A show a draw-latch type latch means assembly 17 comprisinga first draw-latch hook portion 18 and second portion 19. The secondportion 19 comprises a draw-latch portion 20, an engagement loop 21, anda draw-latch blocking portion 22 cooperatively disposed to permit theengagement loop 21 to selectively engage the draw-latch hook 18 topermit the bin 5 to be selectively secured when it has been moved to thefirst or closed position 42. In another preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 6B, the latch means assembly comprises a "touch-latch" type latchassembly 23, i.e., the type of latch that can be unlatched by simplymoving or pushing the bin slightly in the first direction 41 towards thepan portion 2. In an especially preferred embodiment, a hydro-pneumaticroller type touch-latch is utilized. The touch-latch 23 is comprised ofa first portion 24 communicating with the pan plate assembly 2 and asecond portion 25 communicating with the storage bin 5.

The first portion 18 and 24 of the latch means assembly 17 and 23 may beattached directly to the pan assembly 2 and the second portion 19 and 25of the latch means assembly 17 and 17' is attached directly to thestorage bin 5. In a preferred embodiment the second portion 19 and 25 ofthe latch means assembly 17 and 23 is attached to storage bin 5 via thesecuring ring 4. In another preferred embodiment the second portion 19and 25 of the latch means assembly 17 and 23 is attached to storage bin5 via the reinforcing ring securing member 16 and 16'. In an especiallypreferred embodiment the second portion 19 and 25 of the latch meansassembly 17 and 23 is attached to storage bin 5 via both the securingring 4 and the reinforcing ring securing member 16 and 16' to impartadditional strength and rigidity to the system. In an alternativeembodiment, the second portion 19 and 25 of the latch means assembly 17and 23 is formed integral with the reinforcing ring 4.

In an especially preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, thesecond portion 19' and 25' of the latch means assembly 17 and 23 issized and adapted to be retained in the second channel 15 of thereinforcing ring 4. As shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the second channel 15is also sized and adapted to engage and retain the second portion 19'and 25' of a latch means having a first portion and a second portion.

The second portions 19, 19', 25 and 25' are preferably shaped to matchthe shape of the reinforcing ring 4 in order to present a smooth andattractive external appearance. The interlocking of the reinforcing ring4, the reinforcing ring securing member 16 and 16', and the secondportion 19, 19', 25, and 25' of the latch assembly 17 and 23 impartsadditional strength and rigidity to the assembly.

FIGS. 1 and 3 show a liner 3 disposed on the second major surface 27 ofthe pan assembly 2. The liner 3 is both decorative and helps to seal thecontents of the storage bin 5 from dust and debris. The liner 3 may beattached to the pan portion 2 in a variety of ways, e.g., glue or doublesided tape, however, in a preferred embodiment a velcro® type fasteneris utilized.

The pan portion 2 shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6 has a first major surface26 and a second major surface 27 and is provided with means for securingthe pan portion 2 to the ceiling 29. In a preferred embodiment the meansfor securing the pan portion 2 comprises a plurality of apertures 30disposed in the pan portion through which screws 31 can be inserted andsecured to the ceiling rafters 32 as shown in FIG. 6. For manyapplications these apertures 30 are preferably spaced 16" and 24" apartto conform to standard center-to-center spacing of most ceiling beams.The pan portion 2 may also be provided with slotted apertures 33, asshown in FIG. 1, to facilitate and provide greater flexibility ininstallation. In an especially preferred embodiment the pan portion 2 isalso provided with a plurality of selectively moveable pan tabs 34 eachof which is provided with a pan tab engagement aperture 35. The pan tabs34 provide greater flexibility of installation and are especially usefulwhen used to attach the pan 2 to ceiling systems having conventional"pencil rods" 36 as shown in FIG. 7 or "flat bars" 37 as shown in FIG.8. Alternatively, the pan 2 may be suspended from a "T-Bar" 38 of asuspended ceiling as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. A reinforcing plate 39 isdisposed on the first major surface 26 of the pan portion 2, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 6, to provide the pan portion 2 with additional strength andrigidity.

A means 40 is provided for hingedly connecting the pan 2 portion to thestorage bin 5 as shown in FIG. 4. The means for hingedly connecting 40permits the storage bin 5 to be selectively moved in a first direction41 towards the pan portion 2 to a first closed position 42 and in asecond direction 43 away from the pan portion 2 to a second openposition 44 as shown in FIG. 5. In a preferred embodiment a conventionalhinge 40 having a first portion 45, a second portion 46, and a pinportion 47 is utilized. In an especially preferred embodiment a spring48 loaded hinge is utilized as shown in FIG. 4. The hinge 40 may beattached in a variety of ways well known to those skilled in the art assuitable for this purpose, e.g., by using bolts, screws, rivets,adhesives, or welding, however, in a preferred embodiment a plurality ofsheet metal screws 49, as shown in FIG. 4, is utilized.

In an especially preferred embodiment a means 50 is provided forcontrolling the rate at which the storage bin 5 moves from the firstposition 42 to the second position 44. A wide variety of means forcontrolling the movement from the first position to the second positionwell known to those skilled in the art as suitable for this purpose maybe utilized, however, in a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and9, at least one gas spring cylinder 50 having a first end 51 attached tothe pan portion 2 and a second end 52 attached to the storage bin 5 isutilized. In a preferred embodiment, the second end 52 of the gas springcylinder 50 is attached to the bin 5 via a reinforcing plate 53,retaining screw 54, split washer 55, and flat washer 56 and thereinforcing plate 53 is attached to the bin 5 using a pop-rivet 28 andpop-rivet washer 67 as shown in FIG. 10. In an especially preferredembodiment the gas spring cylinder 50 is motorized 57 and is adapted tobe remotely controlled, e.g., by use of a wall switch or with a highfrequency signal that is used to selectively energize the motor.

FIGS. 11-14 show an alternative embodiment of the invention is which themeans for hingedly connecting the pan assembly to the storage bin is ascissor hinge 58. This type of hinge permits the storage bin 5 to bemoved from the first position 42 to the second position 44 while keepingthe bin substantially parallel to the ceiling. This embodiment isespecially preferred where fluids are stored. The scissor hinge 58 maybe motorized 59 and be adapted for remote control as previouslydiscussed.

The storage bin 5 may also be modified to store electrical componentssuch as stereo equipment or VCR's. In a preferred embodiment, thestorage bin 5 is used to house computer components, e.g., the centralprocessing unit ("CPU"). In an especially preferred embodiment theinteraction, communication, and control between the electricalcomponents disposed inside the storage bin and the related componentsdisposed outside of the bin, e.g., screen, on/off switch, disc drive,CD/ROM drive, and printers will utilize laser technology. In thisapplication the bin may be provided with electrical transmission meansto permit electricity to be transmitted to and from the electricalcomponent housed in the storage bin. The electrical transmission meansmay be, e.g., an aperture or a plurality of apertures disposed in thestorage bin or the pan portion to receive and act as a conduit forelectrical cables and related wiring. Alternatively, the bin may beprovided with electrical interlocks that are disposed and adapted tointerlock and close a circuit when the bin is in the first or closedposition. In a preferred embodiment, the pan portion 2 is provided witha duplex plate 60 adapted to receive and mount a duplex electrical plug61 as shown in FIG. 15. In another preferred alternative embodiment theduplex electrical plug 61 is mounted within the storage compartment 8 ofthe storage bin 5 as shown in FIG. 15A.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the storage bin 5 is alsoprovided with a means for transmitting signals between an electricalcomponent disposed within the storage bin 5 and an electrical componentdisposed outside the storage bin 5. This means for transmitting signalsmay be one or more portals or apertures 62 disposed in the storage binas shown in FIG. 16. The portals or apertures 62 may be made by moldingthe bin with a plurality of apertures or by removing material from thestorage bin after it has been made. Alternatively, the means fortransmitting signals may comprise one or more windows 63 disposed in thebin 5 comprised of a material such as glass or clear plastic thatpermits a signal, e.g. an infrared signal, from a stereo remote controlor between a computer and a printer to pass through it. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the entire bin is constructed from a material thatwill permit a signal such as an infrared signal to pass through it.

Alternatively, the bin may be provided with an externally mounted means,e.g., an antenna 64, for receiving and/or transmitting signals betweenan electrical component disposed within the storage bin and anelectrical component disposed outside the storage bin that is adapted toreceive and transmit signals from a variety of angles and positions in aroom as shown in FIG. 17. In a preferred embodiment the externallymounted means for receiving and transmitting signals 64 utilizes highfrequency transmissions.

The storage bin may be provided with a means 65 for mounting anappliance 66, e.g., a smoke detector, a fan, or a light, and may also beprovided with a means 67 for providing electricity to the appliance 66as shown in FIG. 18.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ceiling mounted storage device, comprising:a. astorage bin having a closed bottom end and an open top end defining astorage compartment; b. a reinforcing ring engagement lip projectingfrom said first top end of said storage bin; c. a reinforcing ringhaving a first channel and a second channel, said first channel sizedand adapted to engage and retain said engagement lip, said secondchannel sized and adapted to engage and retain a reinforcing ringsecuring member, said second channel also sized and adapted to engageand retain the second portion of a latch assembly; d. a pan portionhaving a first major surface and a second major surface, said panportion provided with means for securing said pan portion to saidceiling; e. a reinforcing plate disposed on said first major surface ofsaid pan portion; f. means for hingedly connecting said pan portion tosaid storage bin to permit said storage bin to be selectively moveablein a first direction towards said pan portion to a first closed positionand moveable in a second direction away from said pan portion to asecond open position; g. a reinforcing ring securing member for securingsaid reinforcing ring to said reinforcing engagement lip, saidreinforcing ring securing member having a first end sized and adapted tobe disposed within and secured within said second channel of saidreinforcing ring, said second end of said reinforcing ring securingmember provided with means for attaching said reinforcing ring securingmember to said storage bin; and h. a latch assembly comprising a firstportion and a second portion, said first portion communicating with saidpan assembly, said second portion communicating with said storage bin,said first portion and said second portion cooperatively disposed forselective engagement with each other to permit said storage bin to beselectively secured in said first position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said second portion is disposed on said reinforcing ring.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said second portion is disposed on saidreinforcing ring securing member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid second portion is disposed on said reinforcing ring and saidreinforcing ring securing member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid second portion is integral with said reinforcing ring.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said second portion is sized and adapted tobe retained in said second channel of said reinforcing ring.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said reinforcing ring securing member istubular.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reinforcing ring hasa substantially triangular cross-section.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said latch assembly is a draw-latch.
 10. The apparatus of claim1 wherein said latch assembly is a touch-latch.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said means for securing said reinforcing ring securingmember to said storage bin comprises at least one fastener selected fromthe group consisting of screws, bolts, welds, and rivets.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein said rivets are pop-rivets.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said reinforcingring securing member to said storage bin comprises an adhesive.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a liner attached to said secondmajor surface of said pan portion.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid means for securing said pan portion to said ceiling comprises aplurality of apertures disposed in said pan portion.
 16. The apparatusof claim 15, wherein said apertures are slotted.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said means for securing said pan portion to saidceiling comprises a plurality of selectively moveable pan tabs, each ofsaid pan tabs provided with an engagement aperture.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said means for hingedly connecting said pan portion tosaid storage bin comprises a hinge.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18wherein said hinge comprises a spring-loaded hinge.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said means for hingedly connecting said pan portion tosaid storage bin comprises a scissor hinge.
 21. The apparatus of claim20, wherein said scissor hinge is motorized and is adapted to beremotely controlled.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising ameans for controlling the rate at which said storage bin moves betweensaid first position and said second position.
 23. The apparatus of claim22 wherein said means for controlling the rate at which said storage binmoves between said first position and said second position comprises atleast one gas spring cylinder having a first end attached to said panportion and having a second end attached to said storage bin.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 23, wherein said at least one gas spring cylinder ismotorized and is adapted to be remotely controlled.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising electrical transmission means and signaltransmission means for transmitting electricity and signals between anelectrical component disposed within said storage bin and an electricalcomponent disposed outside of said storage bin.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 25, wherein said electrical transmission means comprises one ormore chaseways and said signal transmission means utilizes a laser. 27.The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said electrical transmission means isa duplex plug and said signal transmission means is an antenna.
 28. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for mounting anelectrical appliance on said storage bin.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28,further comprising a means for providing electricity to said appliance.30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said means for providingelectricity is a duplex plug.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30, whereinsaid duplex plug is mounted on said pan portion.
 32. The apparatus ofclaim 30, wherein said duplex plug is mounted on said storage bin. 33.The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said electrical appliance is a fan.34. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said electrical appliance is asmoke detector.
 35. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said electricalappliance is a light.
 36. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising adecorative finish applied to said storage bin.